Warm Up and Eat Up, Restaurant Week is Here!

With temperatures dropping again early next week, finding places to warm up and enjoy delicious food just might make the winter doldrums more bearable. Whether you're craving steak, home-style meals, ethnic foods or fine dining, Madison restaurants are featuring some of their best offerings for Winter Restaurant Week, starting Sunday.

Madison Magazine is the force behind Restaurant Week. The local publication already features regular coverage of area restaurants, but wanted to do more to feature local talent. Now in its 9th year, Restaurant Week will include fifty-one local establishments. Participating venues have signed on to offer 3 course meals, starting at $25 for dinner. "We want to encourage people to get out and try something different, at either a new restaurant or one of their favorites. We also want to help our restaurant partners increase traffic during a typically slow time of year," says Rachel Tatge, Marketing Director and Special Events Producer at Madison Magazine. And if this year is like previous ones, traffic will pick up, and restaurants will be hopping with diners ready to sample new menu items, or popular local staples (reservations are encouraged).

As part of the arrangement, restaurants agree to offer at least three distinct menu options for the discounted price. This year some locations are offering lunch specials starting at $15. Others are offering higher end dinner options for $30 or $35. No tickets or special coupons are required to enjoy the special pricing. The week is popular around town- and offers foodies the chance to enjoy meals at sometimes "out-of-reach" establishments. "People love it! The restaurants are busy, and everyone gets to eat delicious food. It’s a win-win," Tatge says.

Participating restaurants and menu listings are available on the Madison Magazine website. Restaurant Week makes it easy and affordable to get out and enjoy local cuisine!